Vulnerabilities in modern operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 7/8, Server 2012, and the latest Linux distributions are often very complex and subtle. Yet, when exploited by very skilled attackers, these vulnerabilities can undermine an organization's defenses and expose it to significant damage. Few security professionals have the skillset to discover, let alone even understand at a fundamental level, why the vulnerability exists and how to write an exploit to compromise it. Conversely, attackers must maintain this skillset regardless of the increased complexity. SANS SEC760: Advanced Exploit Development for Penetration Testers teaches the skills required to reverse-engineer 32-bit and 64-bit applications, perform remote user application and kernel debugging, analyze patches for 1-day exploits, and write complex exploit, such as use-after-free attacks against modern software and operating systems.

Course Syllabus

SEC760.1: Threat Modeling, Reversing and Debugging with IDA

Overview

Many penetration testers, incident handlers, developers, and other professionals lack reverse-engineering and debugging skills. This is a different skill than reverse-engineering malicious software. As part of the Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) and Secure-SDLC, developers and exploit writers should have experience using IDA Pro to debug and reverse their code when finding bugs or identifying potential risks after static code analysis or fuzzing. Failure to perform proper threat modeling and SDL tasks results in security gaps that can be exploited by attackers. During this section you will learn how to get started with implementing the Microsoft SDL, perform threat modeling, perform local and remote debugging with IDA, as well as how to write your own IDAPython scripts.

CPE/CMU Credits: 8

Topics

Security Development Lifecycle

Threat modeling

Why IDA is the #1 tool for reverse-engineering

IDA navigation

IDA Python and the IDA IDC

IDA plug-ins and extensibility

Local application debugging with IDA

Remote application debugging with IDA

SEC760.2: Advanced Linux Exploitation

Overview

The ability to progress into more advanced reversing and exploitation requires an expert-level understanding of basic software vulnerabilities, such as those covered in SEC660. Heap overflows serve as a rite of passage into modern exploitation techniques. This day is aimed at bridging this gap of knowledge in order to inspire thinking in a more abstract manner, necessary for continuing further with the course. Linux can sometimes be an easier operating system to learn these techniques, serving as a productive gateway into Windows.

Overview

Attackers often download patches as soon as they are distributed by vendors such as Microsoft in order to find newly patched vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are usually disclosed privately, or even discovered in-house, allowing the vendor to more silently patch the vulnerability. This also allows the vendor to release limited or even no details at all about a patched vulnerability. Attackers are well aware of this and quickly work to find the patched vulnerability in order to take control of unpatched systems. This technique is also performed by incident handlers, IDS administrators and vendors, vulnerability and penetration testing framework companies, government entities, and others. You will use the material covered in this day to identify bugs patched by vendors and take them through to exploitation.

CPE/CMU Credits: 8

Topics

The Microsoft patch management process and Patch Tuesday

Obtaining patches and patch extraction

Binary diffing with BinDiff, patchdiff2, turbodiff, and DarunGrim4

Visualizing code changes and identifying fixes

Reversing 32-bit and 64-bit applications and modules

Triggering patched vulnerabilities

Writing one-day exploits

Handling modern exploit mitigation controls

Using ROP to compiled shellcode on the fly (Return-Oriented Shellcode)

SEC760.4: Windows Kernel Debugging and Exploitation

Overview

The Windows Kernel is complex and intimidating, so this day aims to help you understand the Windows kernel and the various exploit mitigations added into recent versions. You will perform kernel debugging on various versions of the Windows OS, such as Windows 7 and 8, and learn to deal with its inherent complexities. Exercises will be performed to analyze Ring 0 driver vulnerabilities, look at exploitation techniques, and get working exploits.

CPE/CMU Credits: 8

Topics

Understanding the Windows kernel

Navigating the Windows kernel

Modern kernel protections

Debugging the Windows 7/8 kernels and drivers

WinDbg

Analyzing kernel vulnerabilities and vulnerability types

Kernel exploitation techniques

Token stealing and HAL dispatch table overwrites

SEC760.5: Windows Heap Overflows and Client-Side Exploitation

Overview

The focus of this section is primarily on Windows browser and client-side exploitation. You will learn to analyze C++ vftable overflows, one of the most common mechanisms used to compromise a modern Windows system. Many of these vulnerabilities are discovered in the browser, so browser techniques will be taught, such as modern heap spraying to deal with IE 8/9/10/11 and other browsers such as FireFox and Chrome. You will work toward writing exploits in the Use-After-Free/Dangling Pointer vulnerability class, and bypass ASLR and DEP.

CPE/CMU Credits: 8

Topics

Windows heap management, constructs, and environment

Understanding the low fragmentation heap (LFH)

Browser-based and client-side exploitation

Remedial heap spraying

Understanding C++ vftable/vtable behavior

Modern heap spraying to determine address predictability

Use-After-Free attacks and dangling pointers

Using custom flash objects to bypass ASLR

Defeating ASLR, DEP, and other common exploit mitigation controls

SEC760.6: Capture the Flag Challenge

Overview

Day six will feature a Capture the Flag event employing different types of challenges from material taught throughout the week. Test your reverse-engineering, bug discovery, and exploit-writing skills in a full day of Capture the Flag exercises!

CPE/CMU Credits: 6

Additional Information

Laptop Required

You must bring VMware to run multiple operating systems when performing class exercises. Linux virtual machines with all necessary tools will be provided on the first day of the course. Tools needed for Windows will be issued in class, but you are required to build and bring the Windows virtual machines as listed below under Option 1 or Option 2. The virtual machines must be unpatched, as we will be installing and removing patches in class. If possible, please bring the English Language Pack versions of the designated Windows virtual machines so that everyone is running the same images. If you do not bring the specified OS and/or Service Pack versions, you may experience different outcomes during exercises.

Make sure that you have the administrative ability to disable all security software and protections, including antivirus and personal firewalls. You will likely not be able to complete the exercises without this level of control. In addition, make sure that you can install software that may be blocked by administrative or security controls due to its nature. You will be installing various debuggers and vulnerable applications onto the virtual machines.

VMware Workstation, Fusion, or Player. A 30-day free trial is available at http://www.vmware.com. VMware will send you a time-limited serial number if you register for the trial on its website. VirtualBox is also acceptable, though not thoroughly tested.

The following four (unpatched, base install) virtual machines, preferably not Enterprise Version. This is mandatory!

It is strongly recommended that you bring a licensed version of IDA Pro. A 20% discount is available to students signing up for SEC760. Please e-mail the course author, Stephen Sims at stephen@deadlisting.com. You may choose not to purchase a license and use only the trial and free versions; however, if you do that you will not be able to complete some of the exercises because these versions have limitations. You may also bring BinDiff for patch diffing exercises. It is available at http://www.zynamics.com/software.html and is now free. If you do not bring BinDiff, alternate tools will be provided.

***Attention Mac/OSX and Linux Users***

Due to various difficulties when performing Windows Kernel debugging between virtual machines using VMware Fusion, we strongly recommend that you bring a laptop option with a Windows host OS either as your only device, or in addition to your Mac. If you choose to bring only a Mac, or a Linux host, you are required to set up kernel debugging before attending class. Specifically, you must have fully tested your ability to successfully run a kernel debugging session from one Windows virtual machine in Fusion to another Windows virtual machine. You will need to be able to perform kernel debugging against all systems named in Option 1 or Option 2 from above. This also applies to Linux users running VMware.

Note: Your experience with these instructions may vary, depending on your version of OSX, Fusion, and other factors. We will not have time in class to troubleshoot these issues.

If you have additional questions about the laptop specifications, please contact laptop_prep@sans.org.

Who Should Attend

Senior Network and System Penetration Testers

Secure Application Developers (C and C++)

Reverse-Engineering Professionals

Senior Incident Handlers

Senior Threat Analysts

Vulnerability Researchers

Security Researchers

Prerequisites

It is mandatory that students have previous exploit-writing experience using techniques such as those covered in SANS SEC660: Advanced Penetration Testing, Exploit Writing, and Ethical Hacking. This includes experience with stack-based buffer overflows on both Linux and Windows, as well as experience defeating modern exploit mitigation controls such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), canaries, and SafeSEH. Experience with or an understanding of fuzzing tools such as the Sulley Fuzzing Framework and Peach is required. Programming experience is important, preferably with C/C++. At a minimum, scripting experience in a language such as Python, Perl, Ruby, or LUA is mandatory. Programming fundamentals such as functions, pointers, calling conventions, structures, classes, etc. will be assumed knowledge. Experience with reverse-engineering vulnerable code is also required, as is the ability to read x86 disassembly from within a debugger or disassembler. Experience with both Linux and Windows navigation is required, as well as TCP/IP experience. If you do not meet these requirements you may not be able to keep up with the pace of the course.

SEC760 is a very challenging course covering topics such as remote debugging with IDA, writing IDA Python and IDC scripts, SDL and threat modeling, Linux heap overflows, patch diffing, use-after-free attacks, Windows Kernel debugging and exploitation, and much more. Please see the course syllabus for a detailed listing, and be sure to take a look at the recommended prerequisites and laptop requirements. You are expected to already know how to write exploits for Windows and Linux applications, bypass exploit mitigation controls such as DEP and ASLR, utilize return-oriented shellcode (ROP), etc.

SANS gets a lot of questions about this course. Am I ready for SEC760? Should I take SEC660 first? I have taken SEC660 but am I definitely ready for SEC760? I have taken SEC560, so can I jump right to SEC760 if I only want the exploit development material? I have not taken any SANS pen testing courses, so which one should I start with? I have taken a course through Offensive Security or Corelan, is the material the same?

There is no "one size fits all" reply to these types of questions, as everyone has a different level of experience. SANS's recommendation is to thoroughly read through the course syllabus and prerequisite statements for any course you are considering. The course author, Stephen Sims, is available to answer any questions you may have about the subject matter in order to help you make an informed decision. You can reach Stephen Sims at stephen@deadlisting.com

SANS has prepared written a 10 question exam that will help you determine if you are better suited for SEC660 or SEC760. Remember that this is purely from an exploit development perspective. SEC660 includes two days of material on introduction to exploit development and bypassing exploit mitigation controls. Much of the other material in SEC660 is on a wide range of advanced penetration testing topics such as network device exploitation (routers, switches, network access control), pentesting cryptographic implementations, fuzzing, Python, network booting attacks, escaping Linux and Windows restricted environments, etc. Many students of SEC760 have taken training from Offensive Security, Exodus Intelligence, Corelan, and others. Though there will certainly be overlap in some sections, there are many unique sections without overlap.

What You Will Receive

Various preconfigured *NIX virtual machines; however, you are required to bring the Windows virtual machines discussed in the Laptop Requirements section.

Various tools on a course USB that are required for use in class.

Access to the in-class Virtual Training Lab with many in-depth labs.

Access to recorded course audio to help hammer home important network penetration testing lessons.

Hands-on Training

Perform labs to reverse-engineer Microsoft patches from 2007-2014 to identify the patched vulnerability and take them through exploitation.

Perform use-after-free exploit labs against popular web browsers such as Internet Explorer.

Bypass ASLR through the creation of custom Flash objects and UAF bugs.

Remote-debug both Linux and Windows applications, and remote-debug the Windows 7 and 8 Kernels.

Exploit Linux heap overflows.

Perform threat modeling against applications.

Bypass modern exploit mitigations.

Write your own IDA Python scripts.

Navigate the Windows front-end (LFH) and back-end heap allocators.

Debug drivers.

Press & Reviews

"SEC760 is a kind of training we could not get anywhere else. It is not a theory, we got to implement and to exploit everything we learned." - Jenny Kitaichit, Intel

Author Statement

As a perpetual student of information security, I am excited to offer SEC760: Advanced Exploit Writing for Penetration Testers. Exploit development is a hot topic as of late and will continue to increase in importance moving forward. With all of the modern exploit mitigation controls offered by operating systems such as Windows 7 and 8, the number of experts with the skills to produce working exploits is highly limited. More and more companies are looking to hire professionals with the ability to conduct a Secure-SDLC process, perform threat modeling, determine if vulnerabilities are exploitable, and carry out security research. This course was written to help you get into these highly sought-after positions and to teach you cutting-edge tricks to thoroughly evaluate a target, providing you with the skills to improve your exploit development.

- Stephen Sims

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